Air Conditioning Tips and Advice (3)

Are you experiencing an unpleasant smell when your air conditioning is running? Some bad smells are more than just unpleasant, they may also be a health hazard or dangerous if ignored..

Below are a few tips to determine whether that unpleasant odor is more than just a smelly nuisance or something that needs to be addressed immediately.

Cigarette smoke – If you or someone in your home smokes regularly, the smell and odors can evaporate the coil and accumulate in the filter. If you smell a stale cigarette smoke when you turn on your air conditioner you need to change the air filter and schedule a professional cleaning and tune up.

Overheating and Burning Smell– As a rule of thumb, if you smell something burning, then it probably is. . .So if you encounter a burning smell when you turn on your AC, turn off your HVAC system immediately at the breaker box. It is likely that what you are smelling is the motor overheating, faulty wiring or some other mechanical issue.

If the smell is similar to gun powder, this typically indicates a short from the AC circuit board or breaker box. If the smell is fishlike, can indicate plastic components melting.

If the burning odor persists, call the fire department and evacuate your home.

Mold and Mildew– An excess of moisture or humidity in your HVAC system can create mold and mildew, that flows through your duct work when the AC is turned on. To prevent this kind of problem, fix all leaks, frequently replace HVAC filters and schedule bi-annual HVAC tune-ups.

The best mold and mildew prevention are to have a whole-home dehumidifier connected directly to your HVAC system. The dehumidifier removes the correct amount of moisture automatically from the air and deposits it to the outdoors.

A yearly full system check will help to detect mold and mildew problems, clean the coils and clear the condensate drain line.

Dirty Trash or Dead Animal Smell– If you had a critter sneak into your ductwork or HVAC system and die, you won’t have to find it…the smell when you turn on your AC will find you. If this happens, immediately turn off your AC, ventilate your home and call the professionals at CENTRAL to clear out the decomposition.

Rotten Eggs or Sulfur Smell - Never, ever, EVER ignore the smell of rotten eggs or sulfur. There is a good chance that you have a gas leak. Manufacturers of natural gas are required to add a chemical called mercaptan to give it that distinctive rotten-egg gas smell because natural gas is naturally odorless.

If you smell rotten eggs or a sulfur-like smell coming from your vents when the AC is turned on:

Do not use matches, a lighter, or have any type of open flames

Do not operate electrical items

Open all doors and windows

Immediately contact the gas company to turn off the gas at the meter

Evacuate your home

Do not re-enter your home until the gas company has given the “ok” and turned the gas back on for you.

The EPA states that compromised indoor air quality is responsible for many health issues in the United States. The accumulation of dirt, dust, dander, mold and mildew, pollen and so on can get into your HVAC system and circulate throughout your home causing major health threats and damaging and overworking your system.

If you are experiencing and unusual smell when your AC system is turned on, don’t hesitate to call the professionals at CENTRAL to diagnose and treat the problem. At Central Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical your ‘comfort’ and ‘safety’ is always our CENTRAL concern! Call 406-756-6656 for all your heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and drain cleaning needs.

More...

As a general rule of thumb, it is highly recommended to do basic maintenance at the start of every cooling and heating season, especially in areas like the Flathead Valley where the harsh winters can be tough on your outdoor HVAC equipment. The extreme and extended temperature lows below freezing, can have a negative impact on your AC season start up. But with a little a little effort you can help insure a hassle-free cooling season.

Outside AC System Prep:

Keep your outdoor coil free of debris – Your system includes condenser coils that are designed to transfer heat, so any debris such as trash or vegetation that has made its way into or against the coil can limit the performance of your system. Clear any debris that may have found its way to the coil and it’s surrounding area to allow for good airflow.

Remove covers, blankets or lids – This may seem like a no brainer, but if you covered your system to protect it through the winter months, be sure to remove the cover before starting up your system. Many people forget to remove their covers at the start of the season and this can cause preventable repairs or even the possibility of a whole system replacement.

Panel inspection – Due to wind and other winter elements, it is possible that you may find that you have a missing a panel or a panel is misaligned - which can cause potential risks to the operation of your system, as well as to you as the homeowner. The panels are designed protect and enclose the electrical connections. If you discover that you have lost a panel or it is out of place, you should call CENTRAL Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical so a qualified technician to assess the situation before starting your system.

Repair and/ or replace damage to the pipe insulation – Outdoor units have a suction line that helps to provide cool refrigerant to the compressor. If that suction line (this is a large copper pipe on your unit) becomes compromised and the insulation becomes damaged, this can impact the required cooling for the outdoor unit, which in turn can damage your system and create a loss of energy. So it is extremely important that the insulation is intact to maintain the cooling system. If you do notice damage, contact Central so a qualified technician can make sure your suction line is in tip-top shape.

Inside AC System Prep:

Changing indoor air filters – As the season’s change, so is it a good time for the indoor air filters to be changed. Air filters tend to collect more dust and debris especially after a long, bitter-cold winter. So before you turn on your AC for the season, change your filters.

Coil drainage hose check up – Water condenses on the coil, because the coil temperature is lower than the ambient air and then drips into a tray below. It is possible that over the winter months this line has shifted. Checking that the condensate line has not moved or possibly became unattached is important to prevent flooding or a potential spill over into your basement.

Clean return grills and the supply vent – To prevent severe damage and insure proper airflow back through your system, make sure that both the supply and return air grills and vents are open and free of dust and debris. To remove pet hair, dander, dust or other debris that may have accumulated during the previous season, a vacuum works well. If you used plastic or another cover over vents to prevent drafts during the winter months, be sure to remove them before turning on your system. In general, cleaning all grills seasonally is a great preventative idea.

Turn it on and make sure it’s working correctly – After going through the check list, on your first AC worthy, hot day - turn on your system and after a few minutes, check that cool air is coming out of the indoor vents and then check every few hours throughout the day. If no air is coming out or the air is not cool, there is an issue with your system and you should turn it off at the thermostat immediately and contact Central. We’ll do a thorough inspection and diagnose the problem. Leaving a faulty system turned on when it’s not operating properly can create a lot of expensive damage.

An AC inspection by certified technician now, could help keep your system running worry-free through the heat of the summer and is especially important for older systems. You may want to call and ask about our Comfort Care Program or for more details go to: https://www.centralmt.com/about/comfort-care-program. As a member you enjoy priority status with Central Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical and the peace of mind in knowing that the heating and cooling system in your home is maintained and inspected two times a year to ensure that it is running at peak efficiency and safety.

Before the invention of air conditioning, keeping a house cool was done by saving big blocks of ice. When the first air conditioners came into use, they rated their cooling capacity by using the equivalent amount of ice that melted in a day. We’ve come a long way from this method of cooling our homes.

With the warm summer months approaching quickly, it’s time that we start thinking about how to stay cool this summer.

Here’s a few ways to help slash your energy bills without having to compromise on your comfort.

Install a programmable thermostat – By tailoring your air conditioning to your schedule, a programmable thermostat can save you money and up to 33% on your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. Need help programming your thermostat or installing one? Central can help! Give us a call.

A dirty air filter is wasted money – Whether you keep your home cool with a window unit or a central air system a dirty filter will reduce the efficiency of your air conditioning system and use more energy. Changing it at least two times a year ensures your HVAC system is not overworking and your family is breathing clean air!

Is your fan running the right direction? – Check that your ceiling fan is running in the right direction. In the warmer, summer months your fan should be set to forward so that it pushes cool air down and the blades rotate counter-clockwise. To change this, there is a switch on the base of your fan.

Schedule an annual check-up – Call Central to come in and clean your AC system. A Central professional can provide you peace of mind and diagnose any inefficiencies from dirty coils and filters to poorly-designed ductwork. Regular cleanings can cut down on the risk of common AC malfunctions and help you stay cool in the heat of summer!!

Reorganize your furniture – Are you cooling the bottom of your sofa or the back of a chair? Rearranging your furniture will give your living space a fresh look and opens up vent spaces so the cool air freely flows out into the room for all to enjoy.

Close em’ up! – On all sun facing windows-- close your draperies, shades and blinds. East facing windows cover up in the morning and west facing windows cover up in the afternoon. If no one is home, keep them all closed. This free tip can easily help keep your home cooler and save energy.

Combat internal heat gain – Internal heat sources come from electronic devices, appliances, and lights; all which create more heat in your already warm home in the summer. To avoid your thermostat to run longer than it needs to and reduce energy waste; avoid putting televisions, lights and other electronic devices near your air conditioning thermostat.

78 is the magic number – For your air conditioner to run a peak performance, 78 degrees is the magic number. Lowering the temperature even 5 degrees can increase your energy usage as much as 40%. So stay cool and save money at 78 degrees.

At Central we conduct a full “Comfort Evaluation”. We ask questions about your cooling comfort preferences, we address issues regarding allergies, and we take critical measures to evaluate your home and any current systems. Our goal is to install a cooling system to meet your specific needs and budget, or make sure your current air conditioning system is working at peak performance to avoid malfunctions or costly breakdowns. No matter what type of air conditioning system you have or how old it is…Central can fix it!

As always, your Comfort is our Central concern. Call us at 756-6656, for all your heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and drain cleaning needs!